Umpire Interference


 
Which of the following is umpire interference and requires an action by the umpire (time out, base award, out, etc.)?
 
1. An umpire is hit by a thrown ball?
2. On an easy pop up behind the pitcher's mound, the 2nd baseman runs into the base umpire and then fails make the catch?
3. With bases loaded, a pitch hits the plate umpire and rolls away from the plate and the runner from 3rd base scores?
4. With bases loaded and the infield is playing in (the field umpire is stationed behind the defense), the batted ball hits the field umpire?
5.  A runner between 1st and 2nd base runs into the umpire. The runner falls down and is tagged out?
6. While an umpire is running to cover 2nd base, the umpire bumps into the runner. The runner falls down and is tagged out?
7. With a very slow runner stealing 2nd base (and will easily be thrown out), the catcher's throw hits the field umpire in the back (the umpire is standing very near the base) and the runner is safe at 2nd base?
8. In foul territory, the 1st baseman runs into the field umpire and fails to catch an easy foul pop-up?
9. A fair hard hit ground ball hits a fielder and then hits the field umpire?
 
Call
Many of those that responded had reasonable explanations for awarding the offense or defense a base or an out. However, NF documents only two circumstances of umpire interference -- and those two are not included in the list of 9 situations below, so -- "play on"!

A couple of umpires felt strongly that the umpire's actions on #6 (when the umpire knocked a runner off his feet and the runner was tagged out) should result in some type of action. By strict enforcement of the rules, no action is needed. However, if there is an easy/obvious way to negate the field umpire's indiscretion, you could invoke NF 10.2.3g: "The UIC may make final decisions on points not covered by the rules".